The top four organisations remain the same, with IBM, Samsung, Canon and Sony keeping the top four spots. The top three organisations all posted increases in their number of patents granted in 2014 over the previous year, while Sony’s patents granted fell 3.1% to 3,214.

Microsoft, whose number of patents increased 6% over the previous year to 2,983, replaced LG at fifth spot. LG fell to 11th spot, with a 32% drop in patents granted to 2,119. Google posted a 31.6% increase in patents granted to move up to sixth post from 10th. Qualcomm posted a 24% increase to move up to eighth from 11th.

IPO is at pains to stress it does not attempt to answer the question of whether more patents are better. Patents granted to parent and subsidiary companies are combined in many instances.